Parlementary criteria for sectarian drift

The main criteria retained by MIVILUDES are as follows:

Let us examine on a case-by-case basis whether instinctotherapy and the movement to which it gave rise meet these criteria.

Mental destabilization:
A theory which calls into question the basic assumptions of the dominant system (belief in the fact that the human organism is adapted to the traditional food) is rather destabilizing. Just like not eating like everyone else. But beware: in a sectarian context, the purpose of destabilization is to keep the followers in a state of dependence, whereas here, it is the consequence of a perfectly rational awareness.
The exorbitant nature of the financial requirements:
The cost of the stay at the Center de Montramé and the course finances remained well below the norm, and were calculated for the sole purpose of covering the costs. Proof of this is that budgets have always been on the verge of bankruptcy.
Breaking away from the original environment:
Instinct does not imply breaking with family or friends any more than practicing any diet. If there were sometimes communication difficulties, they arose more from the intolerance of relatives to a different way of feeding than from a rejection on the part of the followers. This problem occupied an important chapter in the lessons, in order to avoid anything that could singularize the practitioners or irritate those around them.
The existence of violations of physical integrity:
The opposite of reality, if we count the improvements in health obtained through instinctotherapy.
Enrollment of children:
One cannot reasonably speak of enrollment if it is simply a question of parents teaching their children the rules of natural nutrition and informing them about the dangers of traditional nutrition . Parents were also recommended to give their offspring complete freedom as soon as they reached a sufficient capacity for discernment.
Anti-social discourse:
Following an unconventional dietary discipline can lead to a certain cleavage with society. In this case, it is rather the company which held an anti-minority discourse and carried out a perfectly arbitrary campaign of extermination.
Disturbances to public order:
If there was disturbance to public order, it was caused by the scandal launched by the media for purely commercial purposes (selling paper), and by unjustified legal measures ( flood of dozens of gendarme vehicles at the Montramé Center). Instincts demanded nothing more than to be able to eat healthy without disturbing anyone.
The indictment launched by the courts against me at the request of the prosecution in 1989 related to three counts, illegal practice of medicine, irregular advertising for therapies, and fraud. After eight years of investigation, I was sentenced for the sole count of illegal practice of medicine (lack of required diplomas) to three months suspended prison sentence and 50,000 Francs fine. This denoted the disproportion between the legal attacks and the reality.
The possible diversion of traditional economic circuits:
A structure for the sale of natural food products was necessary (the Orkos company), but this because the adequate products were not on the current market, and not to enrich anyone.
Attempts to infiltrate public authorities:
One of my collaborators tried to pursue a political career with the Greens, this unrelated to instinctotherapy.
The adoption of a language specific to the group:
A revolutionary theory involves the establishment and definition of new concepts, which may surprise laymen. However, these terms are based on perfectly rational reasoning, unlike what happens in sectarian ideologies.
Modification of eating habits:
It is undeniable that instinctotherapy represents a profound modification of eating habits. But here too, it is the consequence of rational reasoning and not of sectarian ideology. Otherwise, it would be necessary to consider that non-smokers or abstainers constitute so many sects.
Refusal of care:
I have always specified that instinctotherapy is compatible with medical treatments and that it is not up to the practitioners but to the treatment doctor to adapt or interrupt a treatment that is no longer necessary.
A situation of rupture with the family or the social environment:
The ruptures that I have observed have always resulted from an intolerance to a different form of food. It is therefore the social milieu that has sometimes rejected those who decided to eat differently and used sect etiquette to avoid questioning ordinary dining habits.
An exclusive commitment for the group:
Certain people are committed not for a group, but for a research which seemed essential to them. I also know scientists who invest in their laboratory research, or athletes who devote themselves to their sport. The only difference is that they don’t challenge any belief system.
Absolute submission, total dedication to leaders:
I have always fought against this tendency that exists in many individuals to idealize a leader or the representative of an idea. I particularly insisted in my lessons on the need to consider instinct as a fundamental research, implying a permanent questioning of the points considered as acquired and of my own positions.
The loss of critical thinking and the response to all existential questions:
Instinctotherapy is, on the contrary, the result of systematic criticism and self-criticism. It is in this case this attitude which allowed the development of the theory. The very basis of the process consists in questioning all the beliefs, both on the dominant beliefs and on the beliefs that could be established from the process itself.

If we take a closer look, we can see that these criteria apply exactly to the reactions of society to instinctotherapy, as if the first was trying to get rid of an awkward step by sticking the label to it. sect. Once this label is stuck, the disturbing questions are automatically evacuated, without even having to think about it.

The notion of sect therefore appears as a means of defense of the majority against minorities who could undermine the belief systems in place.